Limb brace



March 27, 1928.

C. H. PIERCE LIMB BRACE Filed Dec. 14. 1926 6 sheqts sheet l Margy-ch 192%,,

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Patented Mar. 27,

Nrrso s'rAEs enemas naaarson hence. on wanmm, mnmnsora.

- BBAGE.

Application filed December 14, 1926. serial No. 154,734.

This invention relates to an improved limb brace for use inassociation with fractures ,and dislocations occurring in the lower le the upper leg above the knee, or at the h p joint.

My principal aim is to generally improve upon mventionsof this class by providing one including an exceptionally eificient and dependable structure which is easy to apply and adjust and, which is highly reliable in equalizing strain, distributing stresses, maintaining the bone sections in proper alinement, and yet allowing-freedom of movement under certain predetermined conditions.

One of the outstanding features of the invention however 'is' the employment of a comparatively light weight yet durable structure used in connection with plaster of Paris casts for the purpose of anchoring, together with means for exerting axial or longitudinal strain for insuring proper relationship of fractured or broken parts in order that they may treatment.

An equally important feature is in the provision of a structure which is so associated with the limb as to permit inspection and treatmentiwithout undue interference.

In brief, what I propose is an eflicient structure which permits the desired passive motion, and makes for excellent anatomical and functional results.

The particular detail and the relative arresume normal positions after rangement and'association' will become ap-' parent from the following description and drawing. 1

In the accompanying drawings I forming a part of this application and in which like numeralsare employed to designate like parts throughout the same Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view in section and elevation showing this embodiment of the invention as it is applied.

Fig. 3 isa perspective view of one of the -details,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a supplementary part used under ig. 5 is a front elevation of a slightly modified embodiment of the invention, showing the use of auxiliary extensions and the part represented in Fig. 4,

. adapted to'be embedded certain conditions, Th

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a further modification of the invention showing the employment of calipers,

Fig. 8 is a side view of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a portant factor forming part of all of the embodiments of the invention,

Fig. .10 is a perspective view of another one of the detai s Fig. 11. is a front view of a still further embodiment of the invention used in connection with a fracture of a difl'erent type.

Fig. 12 is a perspective viewof a detail seen in Fig. 11.

s is ap arent from the foregoing description of the figures, the invention is carried out in a number of different embodiments, each embodiment being constructed to operate .properly in the treatment of a particular-t pe of injury. It 'will be noted also that t e basic principle, however, is carried out in the various embodiments of the invention, many of its details being the same throughout. However, a clear understanding of the invention may be had each embodiment will be taken up separately.

Carrying forward the above idea and directing attention now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the reference character 1 designates generally a substantially U-shaped member including spaced parallel arms 2, a connectin bight 3, and a screw-threaded boss 4 carried by the center of said bight.- Carried by the intermediate portions ofthe arms 2 is a right angularly disposed arched or semi-circular wrench 5. Closely associated with this part 1 is a stirrup 6 the extremities of the arms of which are directed outwardlyv at the angles represented in Fi 2. This stirrup is in a plaster of Paris foot and ankle. The

cast 7 placed about the connecting portion of the stirrup is spaced from this east and a screw threaded stem 8 is connected thereto byway of ordinary nuts. is stem is threaded through the boss 4 and extends beyond the bight portion 3 and carries a turning handle or cross head 9. As is apparent in Fig. 1 the arms 2 are provided with a multiplicity of openings to acperspectiye view of an im in order that it will be seen that i that substantlally the sented in dotted lines in allow the lower part commodate fasteners including small bolts and wing-nuts. These serve to adjustably connect a pair of rigid extension struts 11 in overlapping relation with the free end portions of the arms 2. In this connection wish to state that these struts 11 will be designated as the primary or main straps for purpose of distinction. These primary struts are provided with oiiset extremities 12 and spaced inwardly from these are guides 13 provided with set screws 14. These serve a urpose to be hereinafter described. At th1s.time I invite attention to another plaster of Paris cast 15 molded about the lower leg just below the knee.

are small metal strips cally opposite points ing pins 17 extending through the selecte in the straps 11. Obviously, this form of the invention is employed upon the 16 located at diametriand carrying outstanda fracture being diagrammatically repre- Fig. 2. If desired, another and slightly larger rest 18 of arched form may be connected to and carried by straps 11.

Attention is now invited to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 wherein it will be seen that the same parts represented in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive are represented by the same reference characters. However, this form of the invention is amlified by including secondary extension strut 19 fastened to the oflset ends the primary the cast 15 in this instance is placed above the knee joint.

As shownin Fig. 4 this supplementary v strut is provided 1n this instance with a- ;special appliance 20 including an arm 21 having an oflt'set end 22 fastened to the intermediate portion of the strut 19 and provided at its'opposite ends with an 'arcuate runner which extends through the aforesaid guide 13. The purpose of of the structure to be swung in the dotted line position represented in Fig. 6. Under such conditions the set screws 1a are tightened to maintain the movable parts in t e extreme dotted line position or any position between the same and the full line position represented in Fig. 6. The curvature of the runners 23 corresponds to the arc of-swin of the movable parts of the apparatus. 0% course, the angularity or degree of movement is necessarily governe entirely by the conditions existing.

Considerin now the Fig. 7 it w1ll .be seen same construction just described is shown with the addition of several important parts. First, it will benoted that j a substantially U-shaped swingin frame 24 is included and cooperates wit the runners 23 as shown in Fig. 8. In addition calipers 25 are clamped upon the knee as represented in Embedded in this cast 12 of, strut 11 due to the fact that.

this arrangement is to d the screw against applied to Fig. 7 and are connected by way of a flexible element '26 such as a cordwith a take-up loop 27 carried by the stem 8. Otherwise the invention is as-already described.

, Referring nowto Fig. 11it will be seen that a further embodiment of the invention is represented. Again, the majority of the parts already described are employed. In fact, there are only two important additions made. One is a curved anchoring strip 28 represented in Fig. 10 and a connecting member 29 represented in Fi 12. The connecting member 29 is imbedded in the thigh encircling portion 30.0f the plaster of Paris cast'31. This is also true. of the strip 28, that is, it is also imbedded in the cast and is of a curvature to dispose the apparatus and d the, leg in the outwardly inclined or angular position approximately represented. 0f

' course, in this instance the cast must be made lower legs for tibio-fibular fractures, such to encircle the body adjacent the hips.

It will be clear from the drawings that the injury shown in Fig. 2-occurred in the lower leg and under such conditions the brace is applied as represented in Fig. 2. The principle applied is that of extension and traction. Of course, the casts are'made to conform'to the contour of the portions of the anatomy-which they surround in order to equalize the pressure. The action of the screw or stem 8 produces a downward stress or pull upon the foot and ankle and the corresponding upward strain upon the upper.

portion of the leg. In connection with Figs. 4, 5. and 6,1 might state that thestructure here shown is used in cases of repair of injuriesof the knee joint such as dislocations, fractures, ora post-operative care of ankylosed knee joint. An important point in the care of knee injuries is the ability of a brace to obtain tractionsufiicient to keep the joint surfaces of thejoint apart and at the same time to allow passive .motion of the 'oint th'rough an arc of at least The desired clearance is provided in the proper adjustment and manipulation of the a'pparw= tus herein described. In connection with the bone calipers 25 represented in Fig. 7, I might state that this is used incases of fracture of the femur anywhere-between the junction of the upper and middle third of the knee. The traction in this case is obtained-by applying the calipers to the condyles of the femur and traction put .on by the anchorage of the cast the thigh in the manner shown.

Itis essential in these cases that the lower I leg be not immobilized imd for that reason we leave in place the initial lower segment of the-brace whichvincorporates the lower leg'and passive motion is obtained. by the movement up nd down through the are of 45- as explained. This is essential inasmuch as the injpery is above the knee and no traction could made-upon the knee joint described, a substantially U-shapedmember, the arms of which are disposed in spacedarms being provided with apertures, and a r peater itself nor should the muscles of the lower leg be held at rest by the common straight cast since there is no difliculty in the lower leg.

In connection with Fig. 11 I would state that the assembly here shown is used in injuries ofthe hip, fracture of the head of the femur either intra or extra capsular. Also in fractures of the upper third of the femur in dislocations or for a mobilization of the joint in tuberculosis. In these cases, the brace is firmly anchored by a body'spica.

The cast includes the hip and lower abdomenwith a pendant down over the upper portion of the thigh. Here, we'maintain the proper angulation of the leg so that the broken parts of the upper and of the femur are m apposition.

v No doubt, by considering the description in connection with the drawings, a clear understanding of the construction as well as the use and advantages of the invention will be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to. if desired.

- 1. In a limb bracing structure of the class parallelism and. adapted for disposition on opposite sides of the lower ortion of a limb, the bight' portion being a apted to be disposed in spaced relation to the foot, a screw-- threaded stem carried b the central part of said-bightportion, said stem being provided on its outer end with a handle, a stirrup connected to the inner end of said stem and adapted -:to have its arms imbedded iu'a' cast surrounding the foot and. ankle, said pair of apertured primary extension struts connected by, fastenmgs with said apertures,

Y the upper ends of sai'drstruts bein "ofiset,'th e portions below said ofiset endsbem formed. ,with guides, set screws carried 3!- said guides, and anchoring strips adapte to be imbedded in a knee cast said strips provided with pi s for'selective reeeptionin 1 apertures insaid struts.

2. In a limb brace of. the class dashed,

a substantially U-sha d member -a. screwthreaded stem carrie 'of the stem, a handle-carried by the outer end of said stem, primary struts adjustabl rtions of the bythe bight. portionthereof, a stirrup carried by the inner end y to be anchor in. said thigh cast; '1 ln'testimol zilijwhereof'l aflix'm being provided with'ofiset extremities and in spaced relation to said extremities with guides secondary extensionstruts connected with the ofl:'set ends, said secondary struts bein provided with apertures, a pair of brac ets connected adgustably with said secondary struts and inc uding rearwardly and dlagonally extending arms terminating in arcuate runners extending slidably through the class described,

sha ed member, said strutslbcin'g provided wit oflset extremities and in spaced relation to said extremities with guides secondary extension struts connected with the offset ends, said secondardy struts being provided with apertures, a pair of brackets connected adjustably with said second struts and including rearwardly and diagonally extending arms terminating in arcuate runners extending slidably through said guides, together with a U-sha ed frame the free ends of the arms of whic are connected with the arms of said U-shaped member.

of the arms of said U-shaped member, means 4. Ina structure of the class described, a I

whereby said struts may be anchored to*a cast upon an up er portion of a limb, calipets, and a flexi le connection between the calipers and said stem.

5. In a 1i bjbrace of theclassdescribed,"

a substantially U-shaped 'member, a screwthreaded stem adjustably mounted on the bight portion of said'mem'ber, saidlstem liein'g provided wit-ha handle, a stirrup connected with the inner end .PO]. tionof said t m, primary extension struts adjustebly connected in overlapping" relation-to the arms-of said U-shaped member,=-th ends of said struts being ofiset, a. serextension struts eonnoe' withsaid ,ofl set ends, a bracket fer anchoring'the free end of one of said secondary the remainin secondary strut an adapted S' HARRISON ettenslon struts to a thigh cast, and a bowed-strip'adjustably. connected with the free-end rtion of 

